Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree with a specialization in Adult & Continuing Professional Education is designed for entering and experienced professionals who seek to foster change in individual adults, groups, organizations that serve adults engaged in self-directed or formal learning efforts.  This program, as a part of the field of adult and lifelong education, offers courses in adult learner characteristics, motivations, teaching and learning, demographics, policies, assessment. Importantly, it integrates capacity building and study of how to best support adult learning that involves change, growth and well-being, defined as educational, career/job, community, health and creative aspects of adult life. 

Graduates will be prepared to understand how diversity, technology, and educational research and practice can be applied to support adult teaching, learning, coaching and advising.

Instruction is offered fully online, or with a hybrid option.  The M.Ed requires a capstone portfolio or internship option, and the M.S. requires a thesis option.

Master of Science (M.S.)

The Master of Science (M.S.) program with a specialization in Adult and Continuing Professional Education is a thesis-based program. The program is designed for entering and experienced educators who seek to foster change in individual adults, as well as through groups, communities, organizations, and society. This program offers several unique opportunities to engage in a core body of knowledge and process, as well as advanced study in specific adult and continuing education programs and institutional settings. It also offers integration of adult education knowledge and expertise with the learner’s professional experience. This program is offered as a hybrid (face-to-face and online) and as an online program. On-campus courses are offered once a week during late afternoon or evening hours. Online courses may be offered once a year or once every two years. Please consult with your adviser for further information. The M.S. program reflects a minimum requirement of 39 hours of course work including a thesis, effective August, 2003. Any course work taken prior to admission is subject to approval by the student’s advisor for inclusion in the program.

Course of Study: Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The program has a minimum requirement of 36 hours of course work. Any course work taken prior to admission is subject to approval by the student’s advisor for inclusion in the program. Within the 36 minimum hours, the following should be included:

Core Courses (18 hours)

EAC 730, Foundations in Adult, Higher and Human Resource Education (3 hrs) OR EAC 522 Foundations in Adult Education

EAC 559 – The Adult Learner ( 3 hrs)

EAC 539 – Teaching in an Online Environment (3 hrs)

EAC 538 – Instructional Strategies in AHE (3 hrs)

EAC 560 – Assessment and Evaluation of Adult Education (3 hrs)

EAC 708 – Continuing Education for the Professions (3 hrs) or EAC 700 – Community College Education ( 3hrs)

Specialization (12 hours minimum)

Courses to be identified by advisor and student according to student’s background and consistent with the student’s professional goals.

Research and Internship or Capstone (6 hours)

EAC 551 – Research in Adult and Higher Education (3 hrs) * To be taken within first year

EAC 692 – Research Project (3 hrs) OR EAC 651 – Internship (3 hrs)

M.Ed. students enrolling in EAC 692 will write a comprehensive, capstone project to be negotiated between advisor and student. The capstone will describe a platform of practice. This platform of practice must demonstrate that students are (1) knowledgeable about the foundations of the field, (2) knowledgeable about reflective practice, (3) capable of coherent thinking and the systematic and organized communication of ideas, and (4) able to apply the multiple areas of study in their programs to emerging issues in the field.

Program Completion: 36 Hours Total (minimum requirement)

Course of Study: Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. program reflects a minimum requirement of 39 hours of course work including a thesis. Any course work taken prior to admission is subject to approval by the student’s advisor for inclusion in the program. Within the 39 minimum hours, the following should be included:

1. Core Courses (18 hours)

EAC 522 Foundations in Adult Education OR EAC 722, Foundations in Adult, Higher and Hum Resource Education (3 hrs)

EAC 559 – The Adult Learner (3 hrs)

EAC 558 – Instructional Strategies in AHE (3 hrs)

EAC 560 – Assessment and Evaluation in AHE (3 hrs)

EAC 539 – Teaching in an Online Environment

EAC 700 – Community College Education (3 hrs)or EAC 708 Continuing Education for the Professions (3hrs)

2. Specialization (6 hours minimum)

Courses to be identified by advisor and student according to student’s background and consistent with the student’s professional goals.

3. Research Component (9 hours)

Consult with your advisor regarding specific research course preparation for your topic and timeline requirements for completion of your thesis

4. Thesis – EAC 695 (6 hrs)

Program Completion: 39 Hours Total (minimum requirement)